Women in relationships with priests . . .

We have been hearing from the abuse victims of priests who are adult women for a while. I think we will hear more and more. There is a misperception that mostly boys were abused by priests or nuns or brothers in the Catholic church.

Not so. Most of the abuse is of girls and women.

It's the power thing. A priest who enters a relationship with a women is usually entering that relationship by way of his priestly duties. He is her "spiritual director." How many times I have heard that!!!! She confides her problems to him as a counselor.

If he weren't a priest, their paths would likely not have crossed at all. Or more importantly, she probably would not have that awe and reverence for him that is she feels.

And what about this promise of celibacy that a priest takes? What about the power he has over the congregation because he is so "special." That will be the subject of more discussion later.

Here is a presentation about the women's issue.